Model Airplanes

Model aircraft flyers throughout Central New Jersey are hoping they could one day be allowed to fly while the president is in town.

Whenever President Donald Trump makes a visit to his private golf course in Bedminster, or anywhere else in the country for that matter, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issues a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for a 30-mile radius.

This year, Trump has visited the Central New Jersey golf course twice. Last year, he came several times during the summer.

The TFRs ground aircrafts as large as a Boeing 757 — like Trump’s own personal jet — and as small a model RC plane.

“It affects our ability for educating people, bringing them into the hobby, because our hobby is family-oriented and community-based,” said Eric Williams, vice president of District II for the Academy of Model Aeronautics. “It also affects the community events and organizations that we support.”

Just how many people does this impact? Williams said there are around 30 clubs associated with the AMA within the 30-mile radius of the TFR when the president is at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. He also said there are about 2,500 members affected by the TFR. 

Last year, for example, members of the Broken Props Airplane Club, a part of Somerset County 4-H, could not fly their model airplanes at the Somerset County 4-H Fair because Trump was visiting his golf course in Bedminster. 

In addition, the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning had to meet with the Secret

Article source: https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/nation-now/presidential-visits-ground-model-airplanes-for-thousands-of-square-miles/465-a3e81ad2-a2f0-4d4c-a8be-8bb35b3490f5

MITCHELL — A plane loops through the sky, flies to the southeastern end of the grass runway then races down the green path to make another trip through the clouds. Bill Rhoades, a Torrington native, pilots the red-and-white plane with ease, joking that he will quit showing off his skills.

Rhoades never left the ground. Instead, he took to the skies by controlling his gas-powered plane with a handheld remote.

Rhoades is the president of the Platte Valley RC’ers, a club for those with a passion for model aviation. He and 10 other members all participate in the sport as often as they can.

“Ever since I was a small child, I’ve always been interested in airplanes,” Rhoades said. “When I finally got to a certain age (to fly), I did,”

This week, the RC’ers are preparing for takeoff before the club’s annual event set for this weekend.

Spectators and pilots alike can get in on the model-plane fun at the 29th annual Platte Valley RC’ers’ Air Fair and Fun Fly, set for Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29.

This event is free and open to the public for all who want to see the planes in action and socialize with others who share an interest in the sport.

Those interested in piloting their planes for the fun fly must pay a $20 landing fee and have an Academy of Model Aeronautics membership.

On Saturday, the flying will begin between 8 and 9 a.m. and will continue all day. Lunch will be available for purchase in the

Article source: https://www.starherald.com/news/local_news/annual-fun-fly-hitting-the-skies-this-weekend/article_3e3f9ec2-a3a3-54be-b9ff-5048915e8cd5.html

By Eric Williams

Before August, the U.S. Senate must decide on legislation that could potentially harm future aviators and aerospace professionals. Federal lawmakers must remember that protecting the model aviation hobby is good for everyone, not just for those like myself who love to fly model airplanes in New York. I am a life-long New Yorker and member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), a nationwide community-based organization that has represented those who fly model aircraft for recreational and educational purposes for more than 80 years – making it older than the FAA itself. 

AMA safely manages a responsible community of hobbyists through Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, commonly known as the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. It is critical that Congress strengthen, and narrow, this provision in the next FAA reauthorization bill. Back in 2015, members of the New York City Council introduced legislation that would ban model aircraft and drones within city limits, threatening responsible model aircraft pilots in Staten Island and across New York City. 

This time, the threat to the hobby is much larger – if Section 336 is repealed, young people who are interested in aviation, aerospace or other STEM-related fields could seriously suffer.  Flying model aircraft is much more than a hobby; it is an effective educational tool and a recognized STEM program for kids. Many noted aviators started flying model airplanes at a young age, including AMA members Neil Armstrong and New York-born NASA Space Shuttle Commander Robert “Hoot” Gibson.  The aeromodeling community

Article source: https://www.silive.com/opinion/columns/index.ssf/2018/07/section_336_protects_model_avi.html